The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 during the Sermon on the Mount
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
First of all, we must understand the term heaven as used in Jesus’ time. The kingdom of heaven means literally the kingdom of God, like the Father of Heaven means simply: God the Father. On reading the word heaven, remember that Jesus usually meant by this word, not the reward we will obtain after death “in heaven,” but the kingdom of God which comes to us on this earth together with Jesus.
When God spoke through the prophets, He promised His people a world where all their needs would be satisfied: banquets with wine in plenty (Isaiah 25:6), long life, a land well watered, freedom from oppression, a kingdom of justice. But over and above all that, God would live among His people and to them He would communicate His Spirit: They will be my people and I will be their God (Ezekiel 37:23).
Those who hunger for justice will be given both bread and the holiness of God, because in the Bible justice also signifies: being as God would wish to see us. And because of this, Jesus tells us that we shall be satisfied or consoled. Our consolation on earth is to know and see that God loves us and cares for us and in spite of all, can overturn the situation of the oppressed. It is also to know that even when it would seem that He does not hear our prayer, our cross has a meaning and a purpose.
Waiting lasted until the coming of Jesus. Jesus tells us that a new age has begun: God is with us and his Kingdom is already there for those with a clean heart, meaning that their desires have been purified: they will see God.
No matter where we are, we cannot live the Gospel without suffering persecution.
Finally, we must not forget that in our future life, God will give us more than we could ever hope for or merit.